While serving on jury duty, be sure not use your cell phone to text a friend, as a 26-year-old Salem man learned the hard way this week in a Marion County courthouse.

Benjamin Kohler, a 26-year-old Salem man was summoned to jury duty Tuesday and was chosen to sit on a armed robbery trial before Judge Dennis Graves.

Everything proceeded apace from the start said Marion County Sheriff’s spokesman, Don Thomson. The judge gave the standard jury instructions, explaining that the trial would last three to four days. He asked jurors to pay close attention to the witnesses and evidence.

He also told jurors -- more than once, Thomson said -- that the use of cell phones was a strict no-no.

During testimony by a Salem police officer the courtroom lights were dimmed so jurors could watch a surveillance video. That’s when Judge Graves noticed a glowing light reflecting off Kohler’s chest.

Graves called for a recess and cleared the courtroom, excusing all the jurors except for Kohler. Graves instructed the court’s bailiff to take Kohler into custody for contempt of court, and sent him to the Marion County Jail for two days; there is no bail for a contempt of court charge, Thomson said.

An alternate juror took Kohler’s place. Judge Graves released Kohler late Wednesday evening.

"The duty to serve as a juror must be taken very seriously,” Judge Graves said in a news release. “Every juror has the responsibility to devote his entire attention to the witnesses and evidence being presented.

"In this case, Mr. Kohler failed to meet his obligations and failed to honor the direction of this court. My hope is that he will use his time in jail to reflect upon his behavior."

The trial wrapped up Thursday with the defendant found guilty on all charges, Thomson said.